During the event, the EU Ambassador, Vesna Kos, emphasised the crucial importance of cooperation between the European Union and the Council of Europe, especially in addressing current challenges. She highlighted the common objectives of both institutions — promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Particular attention was paid to ongoing joint programmes and the EU’s commitment to accede to the European Convention on Human Rights. Other topics included the EU’s recent signature of the Council’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, migrant smuggling, and the support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

The Ambassador and the participants also discussed the relationship between the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the European Parliament, in particular the need for stronger cooperation at the parliamentary level. The event provided a valuable opportunity for participants to ask the Ambassador questions on the EU-Council of Europe strategic partnership.

To learn more about the cooperation between the European Union and the Council of Europe, please have a look at our factsheet: https://europa.eu/!MQTPqB